Woman Convicted in Aggravated Assault Trial

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A Shelby County jury found Nelly Ruguaru guilty of Aggravated Assault following a two-day trial stemming from a 2024 domestic incident involving her spouse.

Officers responded to a home on Yale Road after an argument between Ruguaru and her spouse became physical. According to the case, Ruguaru grabbed a hatchet from the top of a refrigerator and swung it at the victim during the altercation.

Ruguaru testified in her own defense during the trial. After hearing testimony and evidence from both sides, the jury returned a guilty verdict on the Aggravated Assault charge.

Assistant District Attorneys Alicia Walton and Justlynn Russell prosecuted the case on behalf of the State.

Jury Convicts Man of Second-Degree Murder in 2023 Shooting

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — A Shelby County jury found Jimmari Sykes guilty as charged of Second-Degree Murder Saturday in the 2023 shooting death of Jonathan Farris.

Associate Deputy District Attorney Monica Timmerman and Assistant District Attorney Shaun Schielke prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Tennessee. The jury returned the guilty verdict following a weeklong trial.

The case stems from an October 8, 2023, shooting in the parking lot in front of 1740 Germantown Parkway. Memphis Police officers responded to the scene at approximately 1:50 a.m. and found Farris suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to Regional One Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Sykes PC

According to the investigation, witnesses told police that the parking lot was crowded after a nearby club had let out. Investigators later developed Sykes as a suspect, and multiple witnesses identified him in photographic lineups during the investigation. Sykes PC

Sykes was subsequently charged with Second-Degree Murder.

A sentencing date is forthcoming.

Man Convicted of Rape, Kidnapping and Assault

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Following a four-day trial, a Shelby County jury found Adrian Pegues guilty of multiple felony offenses Friday in connection with the kidnapping, physical assault and sexual assault of his former girlfriend.

Jury selection began Monday, with the trial beginning Tuesday and concluding Friday. Assistant District Attorneys Regina Lucreziano and Steven Shirley prosecuted the case on behalf of the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office.

The jury found Pegues guilty as charged of aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault and domestic assault. On two additional counts of aggravated rape, jurors found Pegues guilty of the lesser-included offense of rape.

During the trial, prosecutors presented testimony from five witnesses, including the victim, who testified about the violence and sexual assaults she endured. Jurors also heard from the responding Memphis Police officer, two rape crisis nurses who treated the victim, and a DNA analyst who testified regarding forensic evidence in the case.

The charges stemmed from an August 2022 incident. According to the Memphis Police Department arrest report, the victim reported that Pegues arrived unannounced at a home in the 1000 block of Woodbury in Memphis, where he assaulted her before taking her cellphone and driving her to another location.

The victim told investigators that Pegues repeatedly assaulted her, sexually assaulted her multiple times and prevented her from leaving over the course of approximately two days. She also reported that he threatened to kill her if she attempted to alert her family or law enforcement. Pegues eventually dropped her off at Baptist Hospital on August 21 after she pleaded to receive medical treatment.

When investigators met with the victim the following day, they observed severe bruising to her face, eyes and nose. She had also suffered fractures to her nose in two places. The victim later identified Pegues in a photographic lineup as the person responsible for the assaults and kidnapping.

“This verdict holds the defendant accountable for a prolonged and violent attack that no one should ever have to endure,” said Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy. “We are grateful to the survivor for the courage it took to come forward, participate in this prosecution and see this case through to a verdict.”

Sentencing is forthcoming.

DA Steve Mulroy, West TN Violent Crime and Drug Task Force Announce Major Kratom Enforcement Operation

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2026

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy and the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force announced Thursday the results of a weeks-long undercover investigation targeting the distribution of illegal kratom products throughout West Tennessee.

The investigation and enforcement operation were conducted by agents with the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force, with assistance from additional local, state and federal law enforcement partners.

The Task Force operates across Tennessee’s 28th, 29th and 30th Judicial Districts, including Shelby County, and is led by Director Johnie Carter.

Investigators identified Novelty King, 3090 Broad Street in Memphis, as an alleged major supplier of illegal kratom products distributed to gas stations, vape shops, convenience stores and other retailers throughout West Tennessee.

During Thursday’s operation, West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force agents confiscated nearly 30,000 packages of the substance from Novelty King. At the same time, investigators were conducting an operation at another location in Collierville as part of the ongoing investigation.

Some products encountered during the investigation were packaged or marketed using terms including “KLAZ,” “Botanical Extract” and “Cat’s Claw.” Officials are urging store owners and consumers to pay close attention to products carrying those terms.

“Tennessee law has changed, and retailers need to understand what that means,” Mulroy said. “We are particularly concerned about synthetic and chemically manipulated kratom products being sold in gas stations, vape shops and convenience stores. These are not simply traditional kratom products. Stores selling products prohibited under Tennessee law are now on notice. The work of the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force shows that these products are being identified, traced to their suppliers and removed from our communities.”

Carter emphasized that the products at the center of the investigation are synthetic and chemically manipulated products, rather than traditional kratom leaf.

“I want to be clear that what we are dealing with is synthetic kratom,” Carter said. “It has been chemically manipulated, it is accompanied by fake lab tests, and it is deadly. If you have it, destroy it, because if you sell it and are caught, you are going to jail.”

Tennessee’s Matthew Davenport’s Law, Public Chapter 950, took effect July 1, 2026. The law makes knowing possession of kratom a Class A misdemeanor and knowing manufacture, delivery, sale or possession with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell kratom a Class C felony. Certain sales or deliveries to minors can result in a Class B felony.

District Attorney General Jody Pickens of the 26th Judicial District also collaborated in the enforcement effort.

Assisting Law Enforcement Partners

Additional agencies assisting with the operation included:

• 26th Judicial District Drug Task Force

• 25th Judicial District Drug Task Force

• Tennessee Dangerous Drugs Task Force

• Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission

• DEA – Memphis

• Tennessee Counterdrug Task Force

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Media Contact:
Erica R. Williams
media@scdag.com | erica.williams@scdag.com

New DA’s Office Analysis Examines Racial Disparities in Misdemeanor Drug Cases

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — Black defendants accounted for 90% of misdemeanor drug cases entering Shelby County’s criminal justice system in May, according to new racial equity data released by the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.

The finding is part of the Office’s first public analysis using selected Prosecutorial Performance Indicators (PPIs) to examine whether outcomes differ across racial and ethnic groups—including who enters the system, who receives reduced charges through plea agreements and who receives diversion. PPIs are standardized measures that help prosecutors’ offices assess case outcomes, identify patterns and evaluate fairness, efficiency and effectiveness over time. The PPI selects misdemeanor drug cases as a useful measure for examining potential racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

The Office cautions that the 90% figure does not reflect a prosecutorial charging decision. Misdemeanor drug cases generally enter the court system through law-enforcement booking before they reach prosecutors. Because the DA’s Office does not receive complete arrest and referral data from local law-enforcement agencies, the data cannot determine what is driving the disparity or where in the process it originates.

Once cases reached prosecutors, the May data showed smaller differences in the outcomes examined.

Among defendants who pleaded guilty, 41% of Black defendants pleaded to at least one lesser charge, compared with 43% of defendants recorded as White. (Those figures do not account for differences in charges, criminal history, evidence or other factors that can affect plea negotiations.)

Diversion data showed a similar pattern of roughly comparable treatment of Black and White defendants. Black defendants represented 77.75% of defendants eligible for diversion and 82.91% of those who received it. Defendants recorded as White represented 15.52% of those eligible and 15.38% of diversion recipients.

“We all know there are racial disparities in our criminal justice system,” said DA Steve Mulroy. “To understand its scope and contour, let alone improve it, we must measure it with data and share that data with the public. This is the beginning of a longer effort to do just that.”

The Office cautions against drawing broad conclusions from one month of data. May establishes a baseline that can be compared with future reporting periods to determine whether these patterns persist, change or warrant deeper examination. In future months, the Office plans to do similar analyses for other offenses besides misdemeanor drug offenses.

There are also important limitations. A court data-entry change in early 2026 caused some Hispanic defendants to be recorded as White, making comparisons involving Hispanic defendants unreliable. The Office also lacks complete arrest and referral data from local law-enforcement agencies, limiting its ability to examine disparities that may occur before cases reach prosecutors.

The racial equity measures are part of a broader effort to use data to evaluate how the criminal justice system is working and make that information available to the public.

The full analysis, including additional findings, methodology and data limitations, is available here.

Media Contact:
Erica R. Williams
media@scdag.com | erica.williams@scdag.com

Shelby County DA’s Office Announces New Deputy and First Deputy District Attorneys

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has named Lessie Rainey as Deputy District Attorney and Monica Timmerman as Associate Deputy District Attorney, elevating two experienced prosecutors to key leadership positions within the office.

Rainey will succeed longtime prosecutor and current Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman, who was recently appointed to serve as a judge in one of Shelby County’s new criminal court divisions. Timmerman will succeed Chris Lareau, another long-time prosecutor, who is leaving the office to pursue other endeavors.

“Lessie and Monica are both experienced prosecutors who have demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to serving the people of Shelby County,” said District Attorney Steve Mulroy. “They bring different experiences and perspectives to these roles, and I’m confident they will help lead this office forward while supporting the important work our prosecutors do every day.”

Lessie Rainey — Deputy District Attorney

A native Memphian, Rainey has served as a prosecutor with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office since 2009. She graduated from Washington and Lee University and the University of Tennessee College of Law.

Rainey spent seven years in the office’s Special Victims Unit and has served as Chief Prosecutor of the Domestic Violence Unit since 2023. Her years handling some of the office’s most sensitive cases have helped shape a trauma-informed perspective that she brings to prosecution and leadership.

“I am excited to serve the citizens of Shelby County in this new capacity, and I look forward to the new challenges and responsibilities in my role as Deputy District Attorney,” Rainey said.

Monica Timmerman — ASSOCIATE DEPUTY District Attorney

A lifelong Memphian, Timmerman earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Memphis. She has practiced primarily criminal law since 2013 and joined the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office in 2022.

Timmerman has tried more than 25 jury trials and most recently served as Chief Prosecutor of Criminal Court Division VII. She is a Memphis Bar Foundation Fellow and presented a case study at the 2025 Conference on Crimes Against Women.

The appointments continue the office’s transition following the departures of Hagerman and Lareau and place two veteran prosecutors in senior leadership roles overseeing the work of the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.

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Media Inquiries:
Erica Williams, Director of Public Affairs
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
media@scdag.com

Attribution Note: Unless specifically identified as a statement or quote from District Attorney Steve Mulroy, information and statements in this release should be attributed to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office or its spokesperson.

Lessie Rainey

Monica Timmerman

Woman Pleads Guilty in Fatal Shooting of Church’s Chicken Employee

Shelby County, Tenn. – A woman charged in the 2024 shooting death of a Church’s Chicken employee has pleaded guilty and received an effective 30-year sentence.

On Friday, Monica Williams pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 48-year-old Anitra West. Williams also pleaded guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The charges stemmed from a July 8, 2024, shooting at the Church’s Chicken on Park Avenue in Orange Mound. Williams and West, who worked at the restaurant, had an exchange involving a food order in the drive-thru. Williams left the restaurant and later shot West outside the business. West was transported to the hospital, where she died.

Williams received an effective sentence of 30 years.

The case was prosecuted by Associate Deputy District Attorney Monica Timmerman.

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Media Inquiries:
Erica Williams, Director of Public Affairs
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
media@scdag.com

Attribution Note: Unless specifically identified as a statement or quote from District Attorney Steve Mulroy, information and statements in this release should be attributed to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office or its spokesperson.

DA Mulroy's Issues Statement with U.S. Marshals after Capture of Murder Suspect in Slovenia

Seth Walls, 23, was wanted on charges of Second-Degree Murder and Reckless Endangerment-Deadly Weapon for crimes that occurred in Shelby County. On September 12, 2026, Seth Walls was arrested in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Although he was using an assumed name, fingerprints provided by Interpol proved it was indeed Seth Walls.

Walls currently remains in custody in Slovenia. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will coordinate the extradition back to the United States.

“I’m pleased the Marshals Service was able to find the defendant, even as far as Slovenia,” said DA Steve Mulroy. “It demonstrates that no matter where people are in the world the Marshals can find them. I also appreciate the cooperation of the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Our office will work with the Sheriff’s Office to extradite him as soon as practicable, so the criminal justice process can proceed without delay.”

The full press release can be found on the U.S. Marshal’s website.

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Media Inquiries:
Erica Williams, Director of Public Affairs
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
media@scdag.com

Attribution Note: Unless specifically identified as a statement or quote from District Attorney Steve Mulroy, information and statements in this release should be attributed to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office or its spokesperson.

Jury Finds Cassell Hunt Jr. Guilty on All Counts for Sexual Offenses Against Children

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — A Shelby County jury found Cassell Hunt Jr. guilty as charged on all six counts Wednesday following a trial involving the sexual abuse of multiple children.

Hunt was convicted of Rape of a Child, Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, Solicitation of a Minor, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and two counts of Rape.

The offenses occurred in Shelby County between 2019 and 2021 and involved multiple minor victims. Because of the nature of the case and the ages of the victims, the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office is not releasing their names or additional identifying information.

The trial began Monday in Shelby County Criminal Court. After hearing the evidence presented by prosecutors, the jury deliberated for approximately one hour Wednesday before returning guilty verdicts on all six counts.

Assistant District Attorneys Venecia Patterson and Fredricka Brown prosecuted the case.

Hunt also faces separate pending criminal charges. A sentencing date in this case is forthcoming.

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Media Inquiries:
Erica Williams, Director of Public Affairs
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
media@scdag.com

Attribution Note: Unless specifically identified as a statement or quote from District Attorney Steve Mulroy, information and statements in this release should be attributed to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office or its spokesperson.

Paul Hagerman Appointed to Serve as Judge in New Shelby County Court Division

Shelby County, Tenn. — The Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office congratulates Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman, on his appointment to serve as judge of one of Shelby County’s newly created Criminal Court divisions.

Hagerman, the second-ranking prosecutor in the District Attorney’s Office, has spent nearly 25 years serving as a prosecutor in Shelby County. He was named Deputy District Attorney in 2023 after previously leading the office’s Crime Strategies Unit.

“This is terrible news for the DA’s Office, but great news for Shelby County,” said DA Mulroy. “Paul’s extensive experience, knowledge and temperament will serve him well on the bench. The office won’t be the same without him.”

Over the course of his career, Hagerman has prosecuted some of Shelby County’s most consequential and high-profile criminal cases, including the murder of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, the kidnapping and killing of Memphis teacher Eliza Fletcher, and the state prosecution of former Memphis police officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols.

Hagerman earned his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and his law degree from New York University School of Law. He was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1999.

“I love serving Memphis. I love the people that I work with and the people who support me,” said Deputy DA Paul Hagerman. “Together, as a team and as a city, we have gotten through so many trying cases—Holly Bobo, Lorenzen Wright, Liza Fletcher, Young Dolph and Tyre Nichols—and together, we have seen the worst of Memphis, but also the best. I feel I have served as best as I could. And I feel like we have tried to do some justice together. Now, I am humbled by this appointment, but also ready to get to work and ready to continue to do what is right.”

The Tennessee General Assembly created two new divisions of Shelby County Criminal Court earlier this year to focus on violent crime cases.

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Media Inquiries:
Erica Williams, Director of Public Affairs
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
media@scdag.com

Attribution Note: Unless specifically identified as a statement or quote from District Attorney Steve Mulroy, information and statements in this release should be attributed to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office or its spokesperson.

Three In Custody in Death of 6-Year-Old Winter Jones

Shelby County, TN. – Three Kid University employees have been indicted in connection with the death of 6-year-old Winter Jones, who died after being left inside a daycare van in August. All three defendants are now in custody.

Tametria Norry, the driver of the van; Sabrina Powe, assistant director of Kid University; and Amilya Hardin, an assistant at the daycare, are charged with Aggravated Child Neglect, Criminally Negligent Homicide, and Destruction of and Tampering with Governmental Records.

Winter was dropped off at Kid University on the morning of August 13 and was supposed to be transported to Macon Hall Elementary School. She remained inside the daycare vehicle after it returned to Kid University and was discovered unresponsive later that afternoon.

Following Winter’s death, the Tennessee Department of Human Services conducted a fatality inspection at Kid University and found the daycare noncompliant with several transportation requirements. Among the findings, inspectors reported that required vehicle inspection procedures were not completed after children were unloaded, the transportation log was not accurately completed, and required walk-throughs to confirm all children were off the vehicle were not conducted.

Three Indicted in Death of 6-Year-Old Winter Jones

Shelby County, TN. – Three Kid University employees have been indicted in connection with the death of 6-year-old Winter Jones, who died after being left inside a daycare van in August.

The three employees face charges of Aggravated Child Neglect, Criminally Negligent Homicide, and Destruction of and Tampering with Governmental Records.

Winter was dropped off at Kid University on the morning of August 13 and was supposed to be transported to Macon Hall Elementary School. She remained inside the daycare vehicle after it returned to Kid University and was discovered unresponsive later that afternoon.

Following Winter’s death, the Tennessee Department of Human Services conducted a fatality inspection at Kid University and found the daycare noncompliant with several transportation requirements. Among the findings, inspectors reported that required vehicle inspection procedures were not completed after children were unloaded, the transportation log was not accurately completed, and required walk-throughs to confirm all children were off the vehicle were not conducted.

Man Sentenced to 65 Years for Kidnapping, Rape of 4-Year-Old Girl

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — Daireus Ice was sentenced Wednesday to 65 years in prison at 100% for the 2018 kidnapping and rape of a 4-year-old girl.

Judge Chris Craft imposed the maximum sentence on each of the three charges for which a Shelby County jury found Ice guilty last year:

• Rape of a Child: 40 years at 100%

• Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor: 12 years at 100%

• Especially Aggravated Kidnapping: 25 years at 100%

The sentences for rape of a child and especially aggravated kidnapping will run consecutively, while the 12-year sentence for especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor will run concurrently, resulting in an effective 65-year sentence to be served at 100%.

During Ice’s trial, the victim—who was 4 years old when the crimes occurred and 12 at the time of trial—testified about the assault and its lasting impact. Her mother and brother also testified, and family members were present throughout the proceedings.

Investigators testified that Ice recruited Antoine Wilson to abduct the child from her front yard. Wilson sexually assaulted the child while Ice filmed the attack. The child was later left near her home. Wilson previously pleaded guilty to all charges and testified against Ice at trial.

Chief Prosecutors Devon Dennis and Lessie Rainey of the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

Ice has multiple additional cases involving similar allegations that remain pending. Those allegations are separate from this conviction.

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Media Inquiries:
Erica Williams, Director of Public Affairs
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
media@scdag.com

Attribution Note: Unless specifically identified as a statement or quote from District Attorney Steve Mulroy, information and statements in this release should be attributed to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office or its spokesperson.

DA Mulroy Issues Statement Following Andrew Hayes Hearing

Following today’s hearing in the Andrew Hayes case, the Court said it would continue reviewing the matter and reconvene on October 9. District Attorney Steve Mulroy issued the following statement:

“We respectfully disagree with the Court’s remarks. It’s entirely appropriate for the prosecution to agree with the defense when the prosecution is convinced that the facts and the law justify that position. In fact, it would be unethical for a prosecutor to do otherwise. The case law is also clear that, at the trial-court level, the appropriate office is the District Attorney’s Office—not the Attorney General’s Office.

We remain convinced by the evidence that Mr. Hayes was wrongfully convicted. We hope to have the opportunity to address the Court’s jurisdictional concerns before a final decision is reached—both to clarify the proper role of the elected District Attorney and to seek justice for a man wrongfully convicted nearly 20 years ago.”

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Media Inquiries:
Erica Williams, Director of Public Affairs
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
media@scdag.com

Attribution Note: Unless specifically identified as a statement or quote from District Attorney Steve Mulroy, information and statements in this release should be attributed to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office or its spokesperson.

Shelby County Jury Convicts Man in 2020 Shooting Death of 8-Year-Old Girl

Shelby County, TN. — A Shelby County jury convicted Cedric Conley, 47, Saturday on multiple charges stemming from a 2020 shooting that killed 8-year-old Jordyn Washington as she stood inside her grandmother’s apartment.

Conley was convicted of several charges including: Reckless Homicide, Criminal Attempt: Voluntary Manslaughter, Felon in Possession of a Handgun, Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon, and Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony.

The shooting occurred on November 22, 2020, at an apartment complex in the 5200 block of Shelbourne Circle in Raleigh. Conley was involved in a dispute with several people in the parking lot, including a former girlfriend.

Witnesses said Conley retrieved an assault-style rifle from an apartment and began firing at the group. One of the rounds traveled into another apartment and struck Jordyn in the head while she was in the kitchen, where her grandmother was preparing dinner. Jordyn was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the shooting, Conley was placed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list. He was arrested approximately two weeks later in New Orleans and extradited to Memphis.

Conley was originally indicted in 2021 on First-Degree Murder in the Perpetration of a Felony and multiple counts of Criminal Attempt: First-Degree Murder.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 24. 

Chief Prosecutors Lessie Rainey and Cavett Ostner tried the case.

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Media Inquiries:
Erica Williams, Director of Public Affairs
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
media@scdag.com

Attribution Note: Unless specifically identified as a statement or quote from District Attorney Steve Mulroy, information and statements in this release should be attributed to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office or its spokesperson.

Shelby County Jury Finds Kevin Isabelle Guilty in 2022 Shooting

Shelby County, Tenn. — A Shelby County jury found Kevin Isabelle guilty, Thursday in connection with a 2022 shooting that left a man critically injured.

The shooting happened on June 7, 2022, outside a Memphis convenience store. According to the investigation, De’Vonta Munn was in the parking lot when Isabelle got out of an SUV and fired multiple shots at him. Munn was struck several times and transported to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. Munn later told police that he and Isabelle were friends and that he was unsure why Isabelle shot him.

Isabelle was charged with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, employment of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and reckless endangerment.

Following trial, the jury found Isabelle guilty as charged. Sentencing is scheduled for a later date.

The case was prosecuted by ADA Brian Neely and ADA Victoria Gillard.

Shelby County DA’s Office Reports Faster Case Resolutions, Expands Public Data Reporting

Shelby County, Tenn. — Criminal cases handled by the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office are being resolved approximately 100 days sooner on average when comparing June 2026 to July 2026- an improvement that coincide with the Office’s increased use of data to track cases, identify bottlenecks and better manage how cases move through the criminal justice system.

The Office is now expanding that monthly reporting with a new public-facing Case Outcomes Tracker, using a Sankey diagram—or “river plot”—to show how criminal cases move from inception to resolution, including dispositions and sentencing outcomes.

The Office’s monthly case reporting tracks prosecutor caseloads, how long cases remain open and how they are ultimately resolved. According to the Office’s Chief Data Officer, Bobby Zipp, the reporting has contributed to faster case resolution, giving leadership greater visibility into case flow and helping identify where resources and attention are most needed.

The first Sankey chart reflects cases from June 2026. Following the chart from left to right, users can trace groups of cases based on how they were resolved and, when applicable, sentencing. The visualization shows the different paths cases can take, including convictions, diversion and other legal outcomes.

“We’re not collecting data just to produce reports. We’re using it to make this office work better,” said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. “It helps us see where cases are getting stuck, better manage our prosecutors’ workloads and move cases toward resolution faster. And just as importantly, we’re making that information available so the public can see how cases are moving through the system and how they’re being resolved.”

The Case Outcomes Tracker will be updated monthly as part of the Office’s ongoing effort to make criminal justice data more accessible and provide greater transparency into how cases move through the Shelby County justice system.

Visit our Data Dashboard page to view trackers.

Bond Denied for Man Accused of Killing His 3-Year-Old Son

Shelby County, TN – During a bond hearing today, prosecutors with the Shelby County District Attorney's Office argued that Saul Martinez, who is charged in connection with the death of his 3-year-old son, should be held without bond. The defendant's attorney requested a bond of $150,000.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge agreed with the State, revoked Martinez's bond, and ordered that he be held without bond.

Martinez is charged with:

• First-Degree Murder

• First-Degree Murder in Perpetration of Aggravated Child Abuse

• Aggravated Child Abuse

• Abuse of a Corpse

• Tampering with Evidence

The charges stem from the death of 3-year-old Joseph Martinez. Prosecutors allege that Martinez killed the child and later concealed his body. Following an investigation by the Memphis Police Department, the child's remains were recovered on July 20 after Martinez allegedly directed investigators to a wooded area where the body had been placed inside a suitcase.

“We applaud Judge Johnson for his decision to not set a bond for Mr. Martinez,” said Chief Prosecutor Monica Timmerman. “Our commitment to justice for young Joseph is unwavering. Our hearts are with Joseph’s mother and family as they begin to process this incredible tragedy. The strength of our case, as well as our resolve, is strong.”

Martinez’s next court date is set for July 30th.

Chief Prosecutors Monica Timmerman and Eric Christensen are handling the case.

DA Mulroy Sends Warning Letters Ahead of Early Voting Deadline

Shelby County, TN—As early voting enters its final days and Election Day approaches, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy is urging voters to take a closer look at any sample ballot they receive before casting their vote.

With early voting ending Aug. 1 and campaign activity increasing, DA Mulroy recently sent letters to organizations that may distribute election materials, reminding them that Tennessee law makes it a crime to intentionally deceive voters about the source of a sample ballot. He also urged organizations to clearly distinguish their voter guides from the official sample ballots distributed by the Shelby County Democratic and Republican parties.

The letters come after previous election cycles in which independently produced sample ballots closely resembled official party ballots, creating confusion among voters. In some instances, individuals distributing those ballots have referred to them as the "official" Democratic or Republican ballot, even when they were not affiliated with the local political party.

For example, an organization using a name such as "Memphis Democratic Club" is not affiliated with the Shelby County Democratic Party.  Likewise, using "Memphis" or "Shelby County" with the words "Democratic" or "Republican," along with party logos or similar branding, may cause voters to mistakenly believe the ballot is an official party endorsement.

DA Mulroy encouraged organizations to include clear disclaimers identifying who produced the material and whether it is affiliated with a political party.

“Voters: Don’t be fooled,” said DA Mulroy.  “Just because an endorsement ballot says ‘Official,’ or has a donkey or an elephant, that doesn’t mean it’s an official political party endorsement.  Read the title carefully to make sure you know exactly who’s doing the endorsing.”

“And people who print these ballots—you’re on notice.  Misleading voters is against the law and will be punished.”

Shelby County DA's Office Releases Video in May 13 Officer-Involved Shooting

UPDATE: The technical issue affecting access to today's video has been resolved. If you were unable to view it earlier, please try again using the link below.

Shelby County, TN – Given the public interest and in the interest of transparency, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office is releasing the relevant portions of the available video related to the May 13, 2026, officer-involved shooting involving law enforcement officers serving an arrest warrant. The released video reflects the available footage collected during the investigation. No body-worn camera footage from the agents involved in the operation is available.

Prior to the public release, the District Attorney's Office met privately with Mr. Pigram's family to show them the video. Following that meeting, the Office also met with the family's legal counsel to notify them that the video would be released publicly.

Earlier this week, the District Attorney's Office announced that, following its review of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's investigation, no criminal charges would be filed in connection with the shooting. After reviewing the evidence and applying Tennessee law governing the use of force by law enforcement officers, the Office concluded that the use of deadly force was legally justified and that the evidence did not support a reasonable likelihood of conviction.

The video is being released alongside the Office's declination letter, which explains the legal analysis supporting that decision.

The video is available here.

The declination letter is available here.